Almonds

In a study involving healthy middle-aged men (56 years), healthy young men (27.3 years) and young men with two or more CV risk factors (27.3 years), consumption of almonds (50 g/d) for a period of 4 weeks was found to be associated with improvements in flow mediated dilation (FMD) and significant reductions in diastolic blood pressure, while systolic blood pressure was only reduced in healthy men.

Almonds are a highly nutritious food and there are a number of potential health benefits associated with their consumption. Almonds are typically eaten on their own as a satisfying snack or used as an ingredient.

New research by Innova Market Insights shows that almonds are the number one nut in new food products worldwide, having grown 148% since 2005. In fact, consumers worldwide report almonds as the nut they eat most often as an ingredient in other foods such as chocolate, cereals, and bakery items—and manufacturers have taken notice.

Almonds are considered to be one of the earliest domesticated tree nuts, and one of the most prized snacks in the world. Packed with a variety of vitamins and minerals, it is easy to see why the almond is present on almost every continent and the health benefits of this little nut have long been touted by experts.

A new study published in the October issue of the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that study participants eating 1.5 ounces of dry-roasted, lightly salted almonds every day experienced reduced hunger and improved dietary vitamin E and monounsaturated (“good”) fat intake without increasing body weight.

Almonds may still be considered one of the highest energy food sources but it’s not about how much you bite off, instead it’s about how much you chew, according to a July 14 panel discussion at the 2013 Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) Annual Meeting & Food Expo held at McCormick Place.

The many nurturing qualities of almond oil were recognized thousands of years ago. It has been an integral part of Ayurvedic medicines since 5000 years. There are several claims made by our ancestors about the health benefits of almond oil such as it is good for heart health, useful in delaying ageing, effective for sharp memory and lots more, but does the modern science too has the same view? If it is a yes, then what makes almond oil so good for our health?

Researchers from the Missouri University of Science and Technology say that they may have found a way to re-sensitize cells to the effects of insulin. Sterculic oil, found in a wild species of almond called Sterculia foetida, may help people in whom the ability to supply insulin is compromised, or who have developed insulin resistance.

A study conducted by scientists from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and released in the August issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition (AJCN) provides a new understanding of almonds’ calorie count, showing that whole almonds provide about 20 percent fewer calories than originally thought.